“Clear” Isn’t “Clean”: Why Water Quality Deserves More Attention
Water makes up 60-70% of the human body and is fundamental to our existence, yet water in America isn’t as safe as it looks. “Clear” isn’t always “clean” - even in treated water, contaminants like PFAS, microplastics, and heavy metals like lead are common.
PFAS (“forever chemicals”) are synthetic compounds that persist in the environment and human body. They can disrupt hormones, fertility, and long-term health.
Microplastics are toxic to the body holistically; they have a negative impact on the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems, causing gastrointestinal issues, increased risk of COPD, endocrine disorders, and even reproductive disorders.
Heavy metals such as lead are also an ongoing problem in the U.S. water supply. There is no safe amount of lead to consume, yet in buildings and infrastructures that haven’t been updated, old lead and plastic pipes are still being used. In fact, 43% of service lines in the U.S. are made of unknown material, and these materials end up in the water supply as pipes erode over time.
Why should I care about my water quality?
Water makes up a significant percentage of the human body and is in everything we eat and drink - even dehydrated or freeze-dried foods still have some water in them. We can go for weeks without food but only a few days without water, and it affects all bodily functions: digestion, natural detoxification, skin health, energy production, fertility, brain health, and more. In short, water is fundamental to our existence and health. For this reason, it’s essential that the water we’re drinking is clean and free of any chemicals and pollutants. Many people believe that because water is clear or meets regulations, that it’s safe to drink.
Research by Shashank Varma, water quality expert and founder of Viven Water, suggests otherwise. He learned that municipal water systems primarily treat for viruses and bacteria - the contaminants that make us get sick in an immediately visible way. But they don’t treat for pharmaceuticals, hormone disruptors, or industrial chemicals - these contaminants might not affect us in an immediately visible way, but according to Varma, “even trace contaminants can have cumulative effects.” For more of his insights, listen to our Finding Frequency Podcast, Episodes 23 and 24, where Varma discusses the hidden risks in U.S. water and how Viven Water is reframing water as a wellness input.
Additionally, in treated water, the water treatment itself isn’t without adverse effects: the chlorine that kills off the harmful bacteria that makes us get sick reacts with organic material to form harmful byproducts, called disinfectant byproducts, or DBPs. DBPs were initially regulated due to their potential association to cancer, and further research suggested a link between chlorinated drinking water and reproductive and developmental effects. Because chlorine kills bacteria that causes us to get sick in a more immediately visible way, it is still being used to treat drinking water at the municipal level despite these concerns.
How does my water become contaminated?
Depending on the contaminant, there are many different ways that water can become contaminated.
Municipal pipes: Although there is no safe amount of lead consumption, an estimated 9.2 million service lines carrying water across the U.S. are made of lead, and in many cases, the pipe materials of service lines are not known. Though lead pipes and fittings haven’t been manufactured since 1986, they are still being used in most older buildings that haven’t been updated, and lead can begin to contaminate the water as these pipes begin to erode.
Plastic bottles: With the water quality in the U.S. being poor, many people turn to bottled water as it’s not traveling through eroding lead pipes and is generally perceived as being cleaner. However, microplastics leach off of plastic bottles and end up contaminating the water. And though glass is usually safer, when glass bottles are fitted with metal or plastic caps, microplastics can shred off of the caps into the water as well.
Pharmaceuticals in water: A 2004-2009 ecological study revealed that pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities can be a significant source of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Prescription drugs don’t get fully processed through sewage treatment plants and make it back into the environment via streams, or return to the municipal water supply after treatment.
Disinfectant Byproducts (DBPs): Chlorine, which is used to treat water for bacteria and viruses, reacts with organic material like plant material to create DBPs. DBPs are regulated in water as they cause adverse health effects after regular, long-term exposure - they have been linked with cancer, as well as reproductive and developmental issues. DBPs are more of a problem in areas that use water systems which pull from surface water like lakes, rather than using groundwater, as there tends to be more plant material present in surface water than groundwater.
What are the best water filtration systems?
The good news is that we can have access to cleaner water simply by paying attention to where and how we source our water.
At Frequency, we recommend point-of-use solutions to water filtration as they’re more efficient, cheaper, and easier to maintain than other filtration solutions.
For portable water containers, stainless steel is the safest way to go. Unlike plastic bottles or glass bottles with plastic caps, stainless steel doesn’t leach harmful microplastics into your water source.
At home, we believe that the best solution for removing contaminants is the Zero Water Filter Pitcher, because it removes a wider range of contaminants than other water pitcher brands.
Additionally, we trust Viven Water’s upcoming under-sink kitchen faucet filtration system for in-home filtration. It not only filters harmful contaminants from water, but also gives you the option of choosing mineralized water for optimal hydration, hydrogen water for health benefits, or microbubbles for removing pesticides.
Want to go deeper?
Check out our Finding Frequency Podcast (Episodes 23 and 24) featuring Shashank Varma, founder of Viven Water. He shares how hidden contaminants affect our health and what solutions can help protect your water at home.
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